CLEVELAND, Tenn.-After taking a three-run lead, the Lee University softball team gave up five runs in the last three innings to fall to Auburn University Montgomery 8-6 on Sunday afternoon at Butler Field. AUM took the series two games to one as the Lady Flames fell to 10-11 overall and 6-6 in Gulf South Conference play.
AUM got on the scoreboard first thanks to a solo home run from Gia Martin. Two batters later, the Warhawks extended the lead with another home run. Whitney Well drove in two and AUM led 3-0 after the second inning.
Lee's first run came in the bottom of the third when Shelby Cole took advantage of an error by the right fielder. Laney Harris was then walked with the bases loaded to bring Alexa Scalzo home. Annalyn Ormsby gave Lee its first lead as she doubled to left center field. Hailey Simco and Ashley Fields both scored on the hit. The double gave Lee the 4-3 lead.
Shelby Cole hit her second home run of the weekend in the fourth inning to give Lee the 6-3 advantage. AUM struck back in the fifth though as Molly Cobb hit a two run home run as well to make it 6-5. The Warhawks retook the lead in the seventh when Martin hit her second home run of the game giving AUM the 7-6 lead. Well added one more for insurance behind a single from Well to earn the win.
Ormsby went 3-for-4 from the field with two RBI. Cole and Harris both had RBI as well for Lee. Abigail Welbaum got the start for Lee. She went two innings and gave up three runs on three hits. Katie Willoughby had two innings in relief and threw two innings as well. She gave up two runs of four hits. Olivia Tyson took the loss going two and one-third innings giving up three runs on four hits. Alaina Watson threw the last two-thirds on an inning and didn't give up a hit.
The Lady Flames will be back in action on Wednesday, March 20 as they will host Trevecca Nazarene University at Butler Field. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 3 PM.
Coach Emily Russell's Thoughts:
"I feel like this week and this weekend especially helped us realize who we are and what we can do. I wish we could've closed out game three of the series, but I feel like we're in a much better position to close out other games moving forward from these experiences we had."
"We definitely had some breakthrough moments this weekend Annie Ormsby had an amazing weekend. Shelby Cole got on track showing us the power that we know that she has. I believe that this team will be able to take the things we've learned and apply them this week."
